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The family history is a colourful one, with Robert Heaton having been secretary to William Pitt, and John Heaton, a ship's bottom broker who made his fortune, having his office at 1 Threadneedle Street, London, now the Bank of England.

He was Alderman of Denbigh and in 1811 recorder of Denbigh, and was one of the founders of the Denbigh Asylum later known as the North Wales Hospital.

The former North Wales Hospital in Denbigh (Image: Ian Cooper)

The current Plas Heaton is the third house of that name. This was originally called Plas Newydd and was bought from the Griffiths family in 1805.

In 1959 Richard Heaton was appointed to the Isaled Bench and when he retired at the age of 70 after 40 years he was the longest-serving JP in North Wales.

He took an active part in the community, being warden of St Sadwrn's Church, Henllan, Master of the Flint and Denbigh Hunt for 18 years, an Income Tax Commissioner and a member of the governing body of the Church in Wales. In 1967 he served as High Sheriff of Clwyd.

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At the end of the War he served for a while in the Royal Navy and since then was a keen supporter of the RNLI.

"It was a life well lived", commented daughter Maria, who said her father, helped by loyal staff, had transformed the estate and hall.

"He didn't expect to inherit it and it was a huge challenge, but he has left it all in very good condition," Catherine added.

Mr Richard Heaton on his horse Nadolig Llawen, a Christmas present from his wife in 1971. (Image: Daily Post Wales)

He remained active until a few days before his death at Glan Clwyd Hospital. He was a keen fisherman and avid reader, and attended local Welsh and art classes.

His friend and former magistrate R Gwynn Hughes said: "While to be born a gentleman is nothing more than an accident of fate to be acknowledged as one is an achievement. I always found Richard to be so.

"He served the judiciary with great diligence, loyalty and devotion," he added.